Swiping Left On Fundies

A blog where I can talk to other people with the same obsession as me

[precious-and-neat-fundies]

I can't believe Anneliese is going back to Japan so soon after her failed trip last year. Betweenthe last trip's missing her husband so bad she had to go home early, accusing the whole country of having a dark energy because there are so few Christians, and just generally showing up for her dream trip with no plans of how to get anywhere (or how to set up a phone without going to Starbucks for WiFi)... This one has to be better, right???

[spurgie-cousin]

dude I'm watching a documentary about that Whites Only settlement in Arkansas (and of fucking course it's there) and I had to do a triple take, I really thought Hannah Rodrigues had married one of these dinguses and moved to Arkansas

Which wouldn't have necessarily shocked me lmao, but based on their own standards I don't think even Jill's "dark Portuguese" kids would be allowed to live there

[spurgie-cousin]

Modesty shirt, check. Cross necklace, check. Living with racists, check. Raised by fundies, check. When asked what kind of music she likes, she said she only listens to gospel, which almost was a check, but then she couldn't think of one gospel singer 😭 and could only think of the Christian band Skillet which I'm 5000% sure is the favorite band of the weirdo alt right Christian guy she's courting (check!!!).

When asked if she had hobbies, the only thing she could think of is cooking for the men who live at the settlement. Check.

[precious-and-neat-fundies]

This is an ad for electrolyte powders.

[swipingleftonfundies]

I am so close to being sad for her again

[thefundiemuseum]

Jill Rodrigues acting as if contemporary Christian music--some of the blandest, most inoffensive and boring music on the planet--is a gateway to sin will never not be funny to me.

I've been listening to CCM for my whole life. I even like some of it! But CCM is like you took Top 40 radio from 5-10 years ago and scrubbed out anything interesting from the lyrics. It's creatively bankrupt and toothless and filled with nonsense lyrics that sound vaguely spiritual. You can usually pick out which secular artist the performer is trying to emulate. This one is discount Imagine Dragons. That one is Kirkland brand Adele. Someone is collabing with Jellyroll.

And yet, Jill thinks THIS is what is going to lead families into hell?!? The music with such thought provoking lyrics as "breathe, oh breath of God / breathe, oh breath of God / now breathe" ???

(I may have a beef with that particular song.)

There is so much to criticize about CCM (like how uncreative and stagnant it is, or derivative of old secular music trends, or the shallow lyrics) but somehow Jill misses all of that!

[spurgie-cousin]

I'm finally done with the Amy King podcast episode and will work on an official recap, but here are my main takeaways:

- Amy is very much Amy-ing in this interview lol, there are more than a few things she said that made me go 😬 but overall definitely still worth listening to for the things she shared

- big emphasis on the narcissist tendencies of both Amy's dad and Grandpa Duggar (Jim Bob's dad), the latter of which I think is especially important when it comes to understanding the Radicalization of Jim Bob. Pretty sure JB touched on it in the Duggar memoirs too, I remember him mentioning his dad being careless with money and not very easy to please. Per Amy's recounting, it sounds like he was also emotionally and physically abusive, and while that doesn't justify JB's later actions against his own kids, I think it makes a lot of sense why he clung to a high control, very black and white religion. Amy's mom had the opposite (but very common) response to the abuse, which was dating/marrying men who were similarly abusive, unfortunately.

- Another thing she emphasized that just makes a lot of the Duggars' behavior make sense is how any negative emotion expressed by the kids just simply wasn't tolerated. It gave their family this kind of shiny facade that everyone was attracted to, but the reality is that the kids were upbeat all the time because that's all they were allowed to be. I know that's not super revolutionary information bc most people could probably guess that in hindsight, but I think Amy's confirmation that they'd be punished for expressing annoyance or "whining" or just being upset is worth noting.

- (Josh discussion incoming) Amy mentions 2 interesting things about the time where Josh was sent away by his parents after his first "incidents", when he was a teenager:

1. Before they decided how to punish him, he apparently broke down and begged his parents for help with his "issue"* and

2. When Josh was sent away, and Amy or others asked where he was, JB and Michelle's response would always be something about Josh helping with some kind of natural disaster relief. She said it got to the point where'd she'd be looking through the news for updates and not see anything, and when she mentioned it to JB and Michelle they'd just shrug it off or come up with another excuse, and she would really find it weird but she just trusted them implicitly. People in the comments of the video claiming to be ex-fundie, especially IBLP or IBP, said that was a very common excuse in these kinds of situations (when usually the boys were sent elsewhere), so it really makes me side eye Medic Corps.............I wonder if that was created specifically for boys/men who had done either similar things or had pissed their families off in some other way. You can only get sent to ALERT so many times before you age out, but not Medic Corps 👀

*if this is true and JB and Michelle STILL chose to send Josh to basically work camps disguised as Christian reform programs, instead of a therapeutic trauma and abuse program for kids, JB and Michelle should've been charged with child neglect in my opinion. Josh's crimes were obviously disgusting, but he was still a minor at the time, and minors often express these behaviors when they were abused themselves, so not getting a child psychiatric, trauma-informed care after something like this is neglect at the very best.

[spurgie-cousin]

Also, more broadly, I can't emphasize enough just how much the Duggars lie. Just like with his kids, JB lied to Amy about the nature of the contract she signed to be on the TLC show, causing her financial struggle as a young adult. They lied to her and their whole family about the nature of Josh's crimes and how they handled it, which means they definitely lied to Anna and the Kellers, too. They lied about the way they physically punished their kids. They lied to not only the entire world, but their inner circle about the FBI investigation into Josh, after which they lied on the stand about his involvement in the crimes.

They lie lie lie lie lie lie and then have the audacity to condemn others for comparatively trivial shit.

[spurgie-cousin]

I have a rod subreddit unpopular opinion: when people are convinced that Jill reads the subreddit but then make comments directly to her older kids as though they are also somehow reading. Like “Phillip if you’re reading this you can call this number and tell them your situation” “Renee if you’re reading this and need help, play with your hair in the next church singing video” “Tim if you’re reading this, please take Sofia to a doctor they are mandated reporters” etc.

Wanting to help someone is one thing. But if Jill does in fact read the subreddit, wouldn’t the comments directed at the kids just make things that much harder on them and increase whatever consequences and punishments they might already experience behind closed doors?

Yea that's a good point lol, if they're all reading reddit what is the point of posting messages for the kids that Jill will see also?

Idk how I feel about the Rods reading reddit. My gut feeling is that it's unlikely, but with internet access nothing's impossible lol. I think if anyone is doing it, it's Jill when she's up scrolling at 2am. The married kids seem pretty busy for the most part, but also it's like...... after a lifetime of indoctrination and isolation, you really think they're going to listen to internet strangers over Jill? Even if they have grievances with her, it feels very unlikely that they would pick a godless internet heathen who is talking shit about their family over Jill.

[swipingleftonfundies]

I feel like Tim might hear about some of it just through the pipeline of Heidi’s more secular sisters who might have seen it

[spurgie-cousin]

just an aside after Jill R's Mac and cheese/kraut and sausage dinner: it's not the sauerkraut and sausage I find weird out of all of that lol, maybe I'm wrong but I feel like any place in the continental US that has a big concentration of white folks sauerkraut is a thing. it's basically the German kimchi and you can't throw a rock here without hitting someone of German descent (although my annoying ass has to add that the Germans did not invent fermented cabbage the Chinese actually did but that's a rant for another time).

i actually love sauerkraut and in my experience, esp with sausage, it's usually just paired with other shit. Mac and cheese (done right) is usually a main dish on it's own and the flavor profile just....... doesn't seem like it'd vibe with sauerkraut. that's mostly what was weird to me.

[swipingleftonfundies]

My first thought was that one of the girls made it and they were just working with what they had 😂

[thefundiemuseum]

Jill vs. the Coveretts: A Timeline of Events

While there have been vagueposts on both sides prior to Tim + Heidi's wedding, and Hallie has been pretty open about her opinions on Jill, I'm going to focus on the social media back and forth around Tim's wedding.

As far as I can tell it starts here, with Jill posting about the wedding.

She says that pics will follow once Tim + Heidi give the go-ahead. At first, that seems like a huge step forward for Jill and Tim. A boundary set by one of her children that Jill respects? Even though it could deny her social media engagement and the opportunity to talk about marriage? HUGE. Big if true.

... It was (probably) not true. Also at the wedding, Jill takes some pictures of of Samuel + Brianne. More on that later.

Within a couple of days, Jill broadcasts to the world about Tim + Heidi's purity with some (unflattering) video and images from the wedding. It is unclear if she actually got that approval from the bride and groom, or if she couldn't resist posting about the wedding. If they did approve of her posting, it's unlikely that they approved of the whole "purity" thing, given Heidi's family's reaction.

"We are so thankful that Timothy and Heidi chose purity in their relationship. It brings God great glory!"

Ellen and Hallie Coverett have Thoughts about Jill's post. Ellen says "Some things can be left private and don't need to be plastered all over facebook. Especially if it's about someone else. Private decisions between a husband and wife is not the world's business. JS We need to stop making preferences, commandments. Stop making others feel bad or dirty for having a different opinion.""

Heidi's grandmother weighs in with "TMI. This should be left private."

At this point, Jill could remove the video per Heidi's family's requests. She could apologize for crossing a boundary. She could even do nothing, which might be better than what she chose to do. . . The Double Down.

David also posts in her defense. I'm not including the full things because I'd probably hit my limit of images that I'm allowed in a single post.

Hallie (Coverett) Judge is done with Jill's shit.

Several Rods come to Jill's defense, however.

Nurie writes about her own experience saving her first kiss for the wedding. It's giving "well I never wore a seatbelt growing up and I turned out just fine, what are YOU so worked up about?" (Guess who just remembered Nurie's track record with seatbelts. . .) It's like that weird aunt who says at family reunions "my mother commented on my weight all the time and I turned out fine, so I don't understand why you're making a big deal out of all this."

Jonathan and Kaylee chime in. They're a little more subtle than Nurie in their support for Jill, but they're still pro "save the first kiss for the altar, and then tell everyone about it."

And then Timothy finally gets involved. He starts by untagging himself from his mother's FB post. Jill appears to then edit his name out of her post to hide the fact that he was originally tagged there.

Tim posts on Facebook thanking everyone for the well wishes. He includes a scripture that commands men to "leave his father and mother and be joined unto his wife." Often shortened to "leave and cleave," this verse is typically used in Christian circles to, among other things, emphasize the importance of growing up and establishing your own family separate from your parents'. While a secular person might say "cut the cord" in response to an overbearing MIL, a conservative Christian might say "leave and cleave."

Renee writes a poem and posts it to Jill's FB (allegedly, I'm still not convinced that anyone but Jill ever writes for her socials). The poem is quite long and all about how important it is to listen to your mother, how your mother's love is there to protect you. Some highlights:

"As the toddler reaches for an object on the shelf, / Not knowing that it may bring harm or danger to herself, / Her mother quickly scolds her as she leads the babe away."

"In each mistake or wilful [sic] sin and choice to disobey, / Her mama still is standing near, to guide, correct, and pray."

"The soul inside her daughters [sic] heart is far too great a price, / To keep from saying something, for the sake of being 'nice'."

As poetry goes, it's pretty mediocre. Maybe someday I'll do a full analysis of Rodlet poetry, but for the time being, just know that it's what you'd expect. A singsong meter, AABB rhyme, fairly juvenile language.

I think Brianne is the last to jump in on all this. She is in full support of Jill. If there were any question as to how well Brianne will fit with this family--not anymore.

We have another vaguepost from Ellen Coverett about the ways our children grow up and grow away from us.

Update! On October 3 (he asked me what day it was I'm sorry I can't help myself), Jill posts pictures she took of Samuel + Brianne for their "official courtship photoshoot."

Eagle-eyed viewers may notice that Samuel is in his wedding attire.

This photoshoot was done AT the wedding.

Brianne went to this wedding with her princess dress presumably stowed in the car, took the time to change (during the reception, I guess?), and had a whole photoshoot with Samuel while they were there to celebrate and support Timothy + Heidi.

AND THEN JILL TAGS IT #RESPECTFULTOPARENTS.

Ok, Jill. We get it. You have a favorite, and it's the gal who won't set boundaries with you.

Miscellaneous

I wasn't sure where to put these in the timeline, but I think it's worth noting that Jill seems to pick out the photos that are specifically the most unflattering to Heidi.

Heidi's eyes are closed! And Jill is stepping on her dress! (The labels for the in-laws, the arrow pointing to Newman(?), the photoshopped Phil--there's so much going on.)

Also, Jill posts about the mocktail bar at the wedding, and Hallie reveals that not everyone was drinking mocktails that evening.

What Now?

As far as we can tell, there is no great schism in the Rod family. Ellen Coverett is still in Jill's downline, still selling Plexus and touting its benefits.

I hope Tim continues to set boundaries and establish distance from his mom. I hope he and Heidi are enjoying married life and not getting bogged down in social media nonsense. I hope he finds a healthier example of what a family can look like in the Coveretts. I hope he continues to grow.

(And yeah, it's so cathartic to see Hallie call Jill out on her BS.)

[fundieshaderoom]

3rd Anderson Child Speaks Out

Miriam Anderson is the fourth child / first daughter of Steven and Zuzu Anderson. Isaac (#2) and John (#3) have also spoke out.

[countingandsnarkingon]

Jill is having a full on frothing at the mouth head-spinning fit

[countingandsnarkingon]

It’s officially official, Samuel is in a courtship. Everyone meet Brianne Hessert

[fundiepredictions]

Jill was there

Nice to see James accepts the ones who don't want their childs faces on SM

[swipingleftonfundies]

Their relationship is so interesting to me. The parentification kind of went past just using her for convenience sake and I feel like turned into Nurie becoming her equal or a partner to Jill in her mind. Someone to share the parental load(physical and emotional) because David doesn’t/won’t. I’ve seen this a few times in my own life(so a very small sample group haha) but those have all crossed gender lines(creepy in its own way). Idk it’s interesting that she’s kind of singled out Nurie and has her on a pedestal when she’s very very misogynistic so I wouldn’t think she would be capable of having that close of a relationship with another woman. I don’t think I’m articulating this correctly but anyway haha

[spurgie-cousin]

ahhhhh J rod is in her stories with Karissa Collins in Vegas. How on earth do these two get along?! They have the same yet very different views. Oy. What a mash up

oh my god the mash up from HELL 😭😭 i did notice Jill had a lot of Karissa on her story, but Karissa had zero Jill lmao

Jill probably thinks Karissa is a slut in secret for showing her knees/shoulders, but otherwise they're similar types of bigots in the sense that that pick and choose parts of Christianity (and Judaism on Karissa's end) to care about over other parts. They're both paranoid conspiracy theorists too, so they can probably bond over that as well. Not to mention they're humongous oversharers and attention lovers.

Sort of related but this little shiny shawl thing Jill is wearing is so weird, I'm almost positive it's a bridal piece.....I feel like I saw a few of those while I was shopping for cape veils:

Edit: I was sorta right, I found it on Amazon and the 2 most popular uses are for 1920s costumes and brides who want an art deco vibe. The shop I got my cape veil from definitely had a few of these.

[spurgie-cousin]

JROD IS ON HER WAY TO VEGAS (with Kaylee and Gideon) THIS IS NOT A DRILL

It’s in the 100 degree heat index this week in NY where I live, I hope to god those two aren’t going to traipse a baby around outside on the strip if it’s even hotter in NV

My prediction: they’re not going to leave the proximity of the hotel. I feel like they’re about to have some extreme culture shock

I honestly can't wait to see all her complaints 😭 I have a stripper friend in LV and I'm so tempted to hire her to just say hi to Jill at her hotel in one of her flashiest work outfits

So far we know that Jill hates that it's called sin city (not enough to not go there though i guess) ☹️ but she loves the bright lights 😬!

[spurgie-cousin]

weekly reminder of why I don't spend much time on reddit *shrieks into a pillow for ten straight minutes*

literally they are basing this off her arm being pressed against her body in one pic and stretched out in the other, I just fucking can't with these people......not to mention she just had A BABY, maybe that could possibly have something to do with a change in weight/body shape? but no definitely the most logical thing to do is make assumptions about her food intake based on the way she looks in two pictures with completely different poses yes, very normal and healthy of us.

Edit: fortunately a lot of people in the comments shared my discomfort with this. Someone pointed out that in addition to it just being gross, it could be extremely detrimental for someone who comes from an environment where weight gain is *really* discouraged to see something like this (think Jinger Duggar) which I couldn't agree more with. It's easy just as a woman living in America to develop disordered eating habits, but compound that with growing up in a conservative Christian community where you're taught that it is literally immoral to be over a certain weight, like this could really do some damage. We know Kaylee has access to the internet and we know that her "fame" has 100% come from her attention-seeking mother, she didn't ask for it, and she doesn't deserve to see weird ass shit like this.

[countingandsnarkingon]

Timothy is doing some thinking for himself and Jill is probably digging a grave to roll in as we speak